Revenge of the Elven

Chapter 14

Varrell slowly made her way to the outside and around to the alley way behind the tavern she knew all too well was the scene of many crimes. Shady deals, simple fights and muggings, murders and even rape. It was a corner she often checked at night in hope of saving an innocent. She walked into the alley, her senses heightened ready to defend herself from becoming another victim of this darkened alleyway. There was nobody here. It was empty but that put her even more on edge. She stood with her back to a wall but not so she would be cornered she could escape sideways if fighting proved futile.

“Varrell Viakast,” a voice said and she looked to see the hooded figure from the tavern and he lowered the hood to reveal a face she recognised.

“Qin!” she cried delighted to see him.

“Not too loud, I have as you know been on a mission to help my people against these dark entities having spread to my lands but... I must tell you something, there is word out there about a particularly dangerous elven man, it seems he is loose and likely without a collar; free to use his powers, the warlocks and witches I met seem to have heard of him. I am not sure why he is so important to them because they wanted him alive. I said I would help find this man.” Varrell looked at her friend a moment.

“Do you ever feel like we have not been told the full story of the elves and the dark entities they are said to have unleashed?” she asked him now not rushing to embrace him because he had a special ability that was activated through touch and she feared this elf he spoke of might be Taeril.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked.

“What is happening to them is... quite harsh don’t you think?” she replied.

“Yes, I do, any children born within the last twenty years that is elven does not know freedom, and those who were children at the time barely remember it, but they cannot control their powers and that is dangerous.”

“But... the more I think about it the stranger it is. The elves had no problems with using their powers before and then suddenly something goes wrong, and they’ve unleashed evil spirits upon the lands?” she asked sceptically.

“Yes, I suppose it was rather sudden but nevertheless it happened, “ he replied. “I also... recovered this,” he pulled a small notebook from his robes and showed her.

“What’s inside?” she asked.

“Disturbing drawings and the language is one I cannot speak, and I know many. I took it from the warlocks because when I touched it... I felt something like a great contrast of my beliefs. The images inside... very disturbing indeed but it is difficult to decipher what the meaning of this book is without knowing what words are written,” he passed her the book. “it makes me worry about what has been happening these past years and if... it is what it seems,” he said and she accepted the book opening to a random page. There she saw what appeared to be the drawing of various dark entities and also elves and rituals. It did not make sense to her but the images disturbed her. She was horrified and slapped the small notebook shut.

“Exactly, you can keep that but do not show it to anyone. Kept it safe, the warlocks likely know I took it and will be looking for me. You must kept it safe. That is my reason for the secrecy.”

“I was meeting Arlan,, you are welcome to join,” she offered.

“No, thank you, I have things I need to get on with,” Qin said before he left her in the alleyway. She returned to the tavern to see Arlan had arrived and he found a nice table to the side so she joined him and he pushed a tankard of ale towards her which she gladly guzzled some down. Arlan smiled.

“So, my apology, or my explanation and then my apology, “ Arlan said. She looked at him expectantly waiting for it. “Ever since that elf came along I have felt on edge, I have this constant dread in the pit of my stomach. I care for you Varrell and I care what happens to you. If they find out, you are harbouring an escaped collarless elf you could be executed they won’t care for your past deeds. I cannot see that happen to you and yet... you give me no choice but to follow down this path.”

“This sounds more like an accusation than an apology, “ she glugged more ale and then folded her arms.

“Those were my reasons, but it does not excuse the way I have been towards you. Varrell, my friend,  you are very important to me, I only fear for your safety, for your life,”

“I know the risks I have taken, Arlan, I was scared and unsure as well. I was conflicted as to whether or not we were doing the right thing but when I saw those elves in the cages, broken they were it was horrible. Nothing excuses that degradation and treatment. Nothing.” She said.

“Many elves are mistreated and I do not think it is right. I do not blame all elves for what happened... to my family but it is because of that I fear them. I fear their abilities and how they can join with spirits, it is not right,”

“It sounds as though they used this power to cleanse the lands, beneficial to all,”

“It takes just one mistake, one big mistake and our world is changed forever and that is exactly what happened. We cannot be rid of these dark entities at least not easily,”

“No, that is true,” she agreed.

“I am sorry for how I have been, I hoped that we could make amends,” Arlan said and she smiled raising her tankard to meet his and they clashed their drinks before sharing in a sip.